On the 18 of June, 2020, I defended my PhD thesis titled Quantitative MRI in Obesity and Renocardiovascular Function. at Leiden University.

The aim of my thesis was to evaluate quantitative MRI techniques in reno-cardiovascular health, and to study the links between obesity and reno-cardiovascular health using quantitative MRI metrics. Furthermore, I aimed to address novel insights on the safety of contrast media with regard to the use of gadolinium.

The general introduction of this thesis introduces the concept of quantitative MRI, its application in epidemiological research, reno-cardiovascular health, and in obesity. In addition, the general introduction addresses the safety of gadolinium as an MRI contrast agent.

Part 1 of this thesis focused on the reproducibility and clinical validity of T1 mapping and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in renal imaging. Part 2, described different studies evaluating the association between obesity and reno-cardiovascular function which was analyzed in population-based imaging studies using different quantitative MRI metrics. Part 3, provides an overview of the safety profile of gadolinium containing contrast agents, and reflection on the recent EMA recommendations.

My thesis is available via the Leiden University website.